French ironclad Tonnant
Tonnant as illustrated in Les Merveilles de la Science, 1891 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| France | |
| Name | Tonnant |
| Builder | Rochefort Arsenal, Rochefort |
| Laid down | 12 February 1875 |
| Launched | 16 October 1880 |
| Commissioned | 3 August 1885 |
| Decommissioned | 1 September 1902 |
| Stricken | 24 October 1902 |
| Fate | Sold to be broken up, 2 April 1905 |
| Class overview | |
| Preceded by | Tempête class |
| Succeeded by | Furieux |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Tonnant class coastal defense ship |
| Displacement | 5,091.3 t (5,010.9 long tons) |
| Length | 78.6 m (257 ft 10 in) (o/a) |
| Beam | 17.72 m (58 ft 2 in) |
| Draft | 5.636 m (18.49 ft) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion | 1 shaft, 1 compound steam engine |
| Speed | 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement | 163 |
| Armament |
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| Armor |
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Tonnant was a coastal defense ship built for the French Navy (Marine Nationale) that served during the last two decades of the nineteenth century. Initially envisaged to mount two 340 mm (13.4 in) guns in a single turret, the design was redone with the guns mounted in two barbette turrets. The vessel pioneered the naval use of the electricity, the power source being used to drive the turrets. Launched in 1880, Tonnant was initially commissioned in reserve and was only intermittently placed into active service. The vessel did not participate in any conflicts. However, in 1889, Tonnant formed part of the force that successfully defended Cherbourg in a naval exercise against the more powerful ironclads of the Channel Squadron (Escadre du Canal). The main armament was removed to be upgraded in 1901 but was not replaced. Instead, the ship was decommissioned in 1902 and was sold in 1905 to be broken up.